Notable events involving Ursula include:

The history of HMS Ursula as compiled on this page is extracted from Ursula's patrol reports and logbooks. Corrections and details regarding information from the enemy's side (for instance the composition of convoys attacked) is kindly provided by Mr. Platon Alexiades, a naval researcher from Canada.

This page was last updated in November 1942.

31 Aug 1939HMS Ursula (Lt.Cdr. G.C. Phillips, RN) departed Blyth to take up a patrol position in the Heligoland Bight. When war broke out between Britain and Germany this became her 1st war patrol.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Ursula during this patrol see the map below.

9 Sep 1939HMS Ursula (Lt.Cdr. G.C. Phillips, RN) fired the first British submarine torpedoes of the war when attacking German U-boat U-35 about 23 nautical miles north of the island of Schiermonnikoog, Netherlands in position 53°52'N 06°05'E. The U-boat escaped only to be sunk roughly 2 months later.

1911 hours - The Asdic operator reported loud HE.

1913 hours - Sighted a German uboat (Oceangoing-type). Started attack.

1923 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 1000 yards.

1926 hours - The enemy was observed to have altered course towards, combing the tracks. It was also seen she increased speed as heavy exhaust smoke was seen. Ursula meanwhile turned for another attack.

1933 hours - Fired one torpedo. It missed. The target could only just be seen in the fading light.

1940 hours - Heard an underwater explosion, most likely the torpedo exploding upon the end of run.

1941 hours - Sighted a second submarine. But owning to the darkness it could not be attacked (This was most likely U-21).

14 Dec 1939Ursula was on patrol off the Elbe estuary and through her periscope her Commanding Officer, Lt.Cdr. G.C. Phillips, RN, sighted a German light cruiser, escorted by six 'destroyers'. Though the waters of the Elbe estuary are shallow and to dive deep is a dangerous undertaking involving the risk of getting stuck on a sandbank, Phillips had either to take the risk or to miss his attack. His decision was instantaneous and he took the Ursula down to dive beneath the destroyer screen and get within range of the cruiser. They were anxious moments, but fortunately the depth of water was just enough. On coming up again to periscope depth, Phillips found himself within point-blank range of the cruiser. He fired a salvo of six torpedoes and the two resulting explosions were so close that the Ursula herself was badly shaken. A quick glance through the periscope showed no sign of the cruiser that had been attacked, but it did reveal four of her escorting destroyers closing in at high speed to attack.

However one of the escorts, F 9, had been hit and was sinking. Once again, risking the sandbanks, the Ursula went deep and by skilful manipulation of his boat, Phillips managed to evade the inevitable depth charges.

Of the cruiser, Leipzig, no further trace was seen, but when Phillips brought the Ursula back to look for evidence, two of the destroyers were still in the area and engaged, apparently, in a search for survivors. The British were under the impression they had sunk the cruiser and Lt.Cdr. Phillips was awarded the DSO and promoted.

1115 hours - Sighted a 'Koln-class' light cruiser escorted by six destroyers. Started attack. During the attack a Ursula had to go deep to evade one of the escorting destroyers.

1131 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 1200 yards. 1 min, 10 sec after firing a tremendous explosion occurred followed 6 seconds later by another even heavier explosion. This last explosion even broke some lights in Ursula. Four destroyers were gheard to come towards Ursula but no depth charges were dropped. Ursula managed to slip away from the scene.

It was thought that the cruiser had been sunk but in reality one of the escorts had been hit by two of the torpedoes and was sunk with heavy loss of life.

At the time F 9 was sunk she was part of the escort of the damaged Leipzig. Other escorts were; the destroyers Z 4 / Richard Beitzen, Z 8 / Bruno Heinemann, the escort vessel F 7, the minesweepers M 9, M 10, M 12 and M 13. Also in the area were the small minesweepers R 33, R 35, R 36, R 37, R 38 and R 39. R 36 and R 38 later picked up 34 survivors of F 9 (1)

25 Jan 1940HMS Ursula (Cdr. G.C. Phillips, DSO, RN) departed Rosyth for Blyth. Late in the evening and when nearly at Blyth Ursula was ordered to turn back to Rosyth where she arrived early next moring. (4)

21 Mar 1940HMS Ursula (Cdr. G.C. Phillips, DSO, RN) torpedoed and sank the German merchant Heddernheim (4947 GRT, built 1921) in the Skagerrak about 10 nautical miles east-north-east of Skagen, Denmark in position 57°48'N, 10°53'E.

2146 hours - Sighted a dim lights of a ship. Closed to investigate. When close signalled the ship to stop. This they did not do. After another attempt the ship was seen to increase speed so a practice round was fired with the gun as a warning shot. The ship now stopped and was asked to identify her self. She signalled 'Estonian'. Meanwhile Ursula crossed close astern of the ship and with the Aldis light the name 'Heddernheim - Bremen' could be read. The crew was ordered to abandon ship. Meanwhile they were also signalling. The crew eventually sent a boat over but this all took a very long time, it was obvious they were 'buying time'. Once again they were ordered to abandon ship, which they did but again very slow. A second warning round was now fired and this speeded up things a bit.

While Ursula was manouvered into a position to torpedo the ship no.1 torpedo tube was fired by accident. This torpedo missed the ship.

Due to ice damage to Ursula only no.2 and no.5 torpedo tubes could be fired. so these were now brought to the ready. No.5 torpedo tube was now fired but the torpedo failed to run. Possibly it was damaged upon discharge als due to ice damage.

Now no.2 tube was fired. This torpedo hit the ship amidships and it sank shortly afterwards.

20 Sep 1940HMS Ursula (Lt.Cdr. W.A.K.N. Cavaye, RN) departed Sheerness for her 11th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the English Channel due to the threat of the invasion of England by the Germans.

For the daily positions of HMS Ursula during this patrol see the map below.

26 Oct 1940At 1630 hours (zone -1), in position 46°38'N, 10°20'W, HMS Ursula (Lt. A.J. Mackenzie, RN) was at periscope depth when a submarine was observed suddenly at a distance of only 100 yards. Ursula surfaced for gun action but the weather was too rough to man the gun and the submarine disappeared from view. This was either the Italian Maggiore Barraca or Alpino Bagnolini sailing out for a patrol. Neither reported this encounter. (10)

30 Oct 1940HMS Ursula (Lt. A.J. Mackenzie, RN) arrived at Gibraltar.

Ursula arrived at Gibraltar with various defects and required several weeks of repairs before she could proceed to Malta. Eventually repairs and trials would take 10 weeks. (10)

16 Jan 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. A.J. Mackenzie, RN) departed Gibraltar for her 14th war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Genoa and to proceed to Malta afterwards.

En route to the Gulf of Genoa she had to make her presence known off the Spanish coast.

Before proceeding on patrol A/S exercises were carried out with the British destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt A.F. de Salis, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN) and HMS Duncan (A/Capt. A.D.B. James, RN). After the A/S exercises were completed two practice attacks were made on HMS Faulknor.

For the daily positions of HMS Ursula during this patrol see the map below.

4 Feb 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. A.J. Mackenzie, RN) departed Malta for her 15th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol along the shipping route from Sicily to Tripoli near the Kuriat Islands off the East coast of Tunisia.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Ursula during this patrol see the map below.

8 Feb 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. A.J. Mackenzie, RN) made a torpedo attack on an Italian convoy in position 35°15'N, 11°30'E. Four torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained. [These were probably the Italian merchants Nirvo (5270 GRT, built 1919) and Berbera (2093 GRT, built 1931) and the tanker Caucaso (2082 GRT, built 1921) on passage from Naples to Tripoli.]

1730 hours - The masts by now had developed into a convoy of 3 merchant ships escorted by 2 torpedo boats. Started attack.

1800 hours - Surfaced.

1935 hours - At a range of 6000 yards and no possibility to get any closer fired four torpedoes in position 35°15'N, 11°30'E.

1940 hours - Dived as one of the torpedo boats was seen to turn towards.

1944 hours - Heard one distant explosion. No other explosions were heard. No counter attack developed.

1956 hours - Surfaced and proceeded in chase of the convoy but could not regain touch. Also no damaged ship was seen so the torpedo explosion was most likely a torpedo hitting the bottom.

2100 hours - Abandoned the chase and set course to the North. (1)

9 Feb 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. A.J. Mackenzie, RN) made a torpedo attack on an Italian convoy near position 35°42'N, 11°15'E. Two torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained. [These were Italian merchant Pomona (2311 GRT, built 1921) and Italian tanker Fianona (6600 GRT, built 1916) proceeding to Sfax.]

(All times are zone -1)
0150 hours - Sighted a darkened ship bearing 340°, steering 140°. Closed on the surface. Shortly afterwards sighted a second ship about 1.5 nautical miles on the first ships Port quarter. Attained a firing position on the Port side of the first ship, a lightly laden tanker of about 6000 tons. As only two torpedoes were ready after the attack of previous evening Lt. decided to attack both ships with one torpedo each.

0209 hours - Fired one torpedo at the tanker from 500 yards. The torpedo was seen to pass underneath the tanker without exploding.

0215 hours - Fired the last torpedo at the second vessel from 1200 yards. Shortly after firing this ship changed course as the tanker fired a rocket and changed course as to ram Ursula. So this torpedo missed. Ursula meanwhile dived to avoid being rammed. (1)

20 Feb 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. A.J. Mackenzie, RN) departed Malta for her 16th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). As in her previous patrol she was ordered to patrol along the shipping route from Sicily to Tripoli near the Kuriat Islands off the East coast of Tunisia.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Ursula during this patrol see the map below.

22 Feb 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. A.J. Mackenzie, RN) torpedoed and damaged the Italian merchant Sabbia (5788 GRT, built 1926) about 20 nautical miles east of Susah, Tunisia in position 35°47'N, 11°16'E. Following this attack Ursula was depth charged by the Italian torpedo boat Generale Carlo Montanari.

(All times are zone -1)
1521 hours - Sighted a convoy consisting of one transport and one cargo vessel. They were escorted by three torpedo boats. At least one aircraft was overhead. Course of the convoy was 156°. Started attack.

1608 hours - In position 35°47'N, 11°16'E fired three torpedoes at the transport ship from 2500 yards. After 1 minute and 43 seconds one hit was obtained. Ursula went to 70 feet.

1637 hours - Returned to periscope depth.
Saw the transport to be deeper in the water and sinking on an even keel. All the lifeboats were gone. Returned to 70 feet.

[According to Italian sources the other ship in the convoy was the Italian merchant vessel Silvia Tripcovich (2365 BRT, built 1925). Nothing could be found in Italian archives about the two other torpedo boats sighted.] (1)

19 Mar 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. A.J. Mackenzie, RN) was undocked and sailed for patrol a few hours later. This was her 17th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was to patrol off Lampedusa to intercept an important Italian convoy that had left Naples for Tripoli.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Ursula during this patrol see the map below.

20 Mar 1941At 1700 hours (zone -2) HMS Ursula (Lt. A.J. Mackenzie, RN) received a signal ordering her to carry out operation 'Sich'. This was an operation to carry out a reconnaissance to the North and the East of Cape Bon to establish enemy convoy routes in that area and to find out positions of minefields (Ursula was fitted with a Mine Detector Unit).

The enemy convoy was thought to have gone past or evaded the position of Ursula by that time. (1)

0357 hours - Surfaced. Sighted one large merchant vessel of 10000 tons and one smaller merchant vessel of 3000 tons in line ahead. Range was 3000-4000 yards. Started attack on the larger merchant vessel.

0427 hours - In position 37°05'N, 11°13'E fired four torpedoes from 2000 yards. Just as the fourth torpedo left the tube the target altered course 45° away to a course of 185°. All torpedoes now missed the target. Ursula meanwhile chased the convoy bit a firing position could not be reached before sunrise. (1)

1725 hours - It was now seen that the destroyer was escorting a convoy of five merchant ships of about 6000 tons. Two destroyers were present. The target that was selected was the second ship of the port column.

1735 hours - Two single engined aircraft were seen overhead, most likely fighters.

1747 hours - One explosion was heard that sounded like a hit. Given the range to the target it was thought that a hit was obtained on the third ship in the starboard column.

1756 hours - Three explosions were heard, thought to be the remained of the torpedo salvo exploding upon hitting the bottom at the end of their run.

1801 hours - Fairly loud explosions were heard, thought to be depth charges. No further depth charges were dropped.

This convoy was made up of the German merchant vessels Ankara (4768 GRT, built 1937), Marburg (7564 GRT, built 1928), Kybfels (7764 GRT, built 1937), Reichenfels (7744 GRT, built 1936) and the Italian merchant Galilea (8040 GRT, built 1916). They were escorted by the Italian destroyers Ugolino Vivaldi, Antonio da Noli and Lanzerotto Malocello. Reichenfels reported being missed by about 10-25 metres. (1)

4 May 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. A.J. Mackenzie, RN) attacked an armed merchant vessel or auxiliary with four torpedoes near the Kerkenah bank in approximate position 34°36'N, 11°54'E. [This was Palermo (ex Greek Athinai, 2897 GRT, built 1910) who sighted three torpedo tracks.]

(All times are zone -2)
1405 hours - Sighted one merchant vessel, bearing 030°. Enemy course was 260°. Closed to attack. The target was seen to be a merchant vessel or auxiliary of about 5000 tons. She was armed with two guns on the poop and painted grey.

1428 hours - In approximate position 34°36'N, 11°54'E fired four torpedoes from 2100 yards. Most likely all torpedoes missed astern as she zigged away and her speed was about 14 knots while during the attack 10 knots was estimated. (14)

11 May 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. A.J. Mackenzie, RN) ended her 19th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (14)

24 May 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. I.L.M. McGeoch, RN in command as her regular Commanding Officer Lt. Mackenzie was sick) departed Malta for her 20th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol the approaches to Tripoli, Libya.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Ursula during this patrol see the map below.

27 May 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. I.L.M. McGeoch, RN) attacked a merchant vessel with two torpedoes in position in position 32°33'N, 14°47'E. No hits were obtained. [This was probably Silvio Scaroni (1394 GRT, built 1920) on passage from Benghazi to Tripoli.]

(All times are zone -2)
1308 hours - Received a signal ordering Ursula to intercept a convoy. Set course accordingly.

1337 hours - Sighted smoke bearing 090°. Interception was only possible if Ursula proceeded on the surface when she was well clear of the coast.

1400 to 1600 hours - Heard several explosions as the RAF was attacking the convoy.

1615 hours - Well clear of the coast now so surfaced in position 32°33'N, 14°47'E to reach a position to intercept the convoy however upon surfacing a small merchant vessel of about 2000 tons was sighted about 5 nautical miles away. Ursula dived again. Decided to attack this vessel as it seemed likely that Ursula was sighted and it would now be impossible to intercept the convoy.

1706 hours - Fired two torpedoes from 3000 yards. No hits were obtained.

1715 hours - Prepared to surface and engage the target with gunfire.

1720 hours - When about to surface the vessel turned stern on and opened fire withthe stern gun in the direction of the periscope. Decided not to surface and abandon the action. (14)

31 May 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. I.L.M. McGeoch, RN) attacked an escorted merchant vessel off Zuara (Zuwârah), Libya in approximate position 33°00'N, 12°09'E with two torpedoes. No hits were obtained. [This was probably the German Sparta (1724 GRT, built 1927) escorted by the torpedo boat Pilo.]

7 Jun 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. A.J. Mackenzie, RN) was docked at Malta during a short refit and repairs to her defective Starboard generator. (15)

11 Jun 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. A.J. Mackenzie, RN) was undocked. (15)

12 Jul 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. A.J. Mackenzie, RN) departed Malta on what should have been her 21th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean). Shortly after departure she had to return due to problems with her Port generator.

18 Jul 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. A.J. Mackenzie, RN) departed Malta for her 21th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in an area South of Lampedusa.

For the daily positions of HMS Ursula during this patrol see the map below.

23 Aug 1941At 1340 hours (zone -2) HMS Ursula (Lt. A.J. Mackenzie, RN) was bombed from the air while at periscope depth about 2 nautical miles East of Taormina, Sicily, Italy in position 37°51'N, 15°20'E. Two bombs were dropped but no damage was sustained.

At 2108 hours, the submarine surfaced in position 37°43'N, 15°32'E with the intention of landing commandos by folbot to blow up a tunnel near Capo dell’Armi but the bad weather prevented the operation. (14)

29 Aug 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. A.J. Mackenzie, RN) departed Malta for her 23th war patrol (10th in the Mediterranean). She was to patrol South of Lampedusa. Later she was sent to guard the Eastern approaches to Tripoli, Libya.

An important fast Italian troop convoy had departed Naples for Tripoli that day.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Ursula during this patrol see the map below.

18 Sep 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) attacked the Italian troop transport Vulcania (24469 GRT, built 1928) about 30 nautical miles East of Tripoli, Libya in approximate position 32°55'N, 13°52'E. Four torpedoes were fired but all missed their target although it was thought that one hit was obtained.

(All times are zone -2)
0656 hours - Sighted a large transport with a Navigatori-class destroyer as escort. [This was most likely Antoniotto Usodimare.]

0705 hours - In approximate position 32°55'N, 13°52'E fired four torpedoes from 3500 yards. It was thought the one hit was obtained but this was not the case. No counter attack developed. (17)

0802 hours - In position 35°25'N, 11°39'E fired four torpedoes at two merchant vessels of about 6000 tons. Ranges were 6000 and 7000 yards. It was thought that two hits were obtained, one on each target.

0825 to 0900 hours - One of the escorts carried out counter-attacks in which 9 depth charges were dropped. No damage was done to Ursula.

0912 hours - Sighted a merchant vessel stopped in the position of the attack. Altered course towards and started to reload no.3 torpedo tube.

1005 hours - The vessel was seen to be lower in the water.

1100 hours - Nothing in sight. It was thought the vessel had sunk.

[The other ship was the Italian merchant Caterina (4838 GRT, built 1920), and they were escorted by the destroyer Alfredo Oriani. Beppe was towed to Tripoli by the German tug Max Behrendt. while Caterina was later sunk by an aircraft torpedo.] (14)

19 Oct 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) arrived at Malta to embark four new torpedoes. After eight hours she departed again to resume her 26th war patrol. New patrol area was the southern approaches to the Strait of Messina. (14)

22 Oct 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) carried out a reconnaissance of the coast North of Cape Spartivento to select a suitable bridge to bombard. At 0900 hours (zone -2) a suitable target was seen near position 38°06'N, 16°14'E.

At 1419 hours Ursula surfaced 1500 yards from the bridge. 77 Rounds were fired and the bridge was damaged by 22 direct hits.

At 1439 hours the action was broken off when the gun jammed and an aircraft that was seen to the seaward.

[Italian sources show that the bridge and telegraph line sustained some damage but seven unexploded shells were found.] (1)

6 Nov 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) departed Malta for her 27th war patrol (14th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Misrata, Libya.

No logs are available for this period so no map can be displayed. (17)

11 Nov 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) attacked a convoy with three torpedoes about 20 nautical miles South-East of Misrata, Libya in position 32°07'N, 15°26'E. No hits were obtained and Ursula was depth charged by the escorts. [This was Pertusola (1502 GRT, built 1882) being towed by Imperia with Ascianghi (610 GRT, built 1921) escorted by the torpedo boats Generale Antonio Cascino and Calliope). Calliope attacked the submarine with two depth charge patterns, recording three explosions and a large oil slick and believed the submarine sunk.]

(All times are zone -2)
1615 hours - Sighted smoke to the South.

1730 hours - Sighted a convoy of two merchant vessels (one of 2000 tons, one of 1000 tons that was towing a sailing vessel). Escort was provided by two torpedo boats, one was seen to be the Generale Antonio Cascino and the other was a more modern one of the Spica class.

1752 hours - In position 32°07'N, 15°26'E fired three torpedoes at the 2000 tons merchant vessel from . Both missed as the tracks were sighted and evaded by the target.

30 Nov 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) departed Malta for Gibraltar. She is to proceed to the U.K. for a refit. (18)

9 Dec 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) arrived at Gibraltar. (18)

14 Dec 1941As her refit in the U.K. can start only around mid-January 1942 HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) is sent out on a anti-uboat patrol to the East of Gibraltar near Alboran Island. This is her 28th war patrol (15th in the Mediterranean).

No logs are available for this period so no map can be displayed. (18)

15 Dec 1941HMS Ursula (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) is ordered to return to Gibraltar. She is needed to patrol in the Bay of Biscay as it is feared that the German capital ships currently at Brest were to leave port. (18)

29 Sep 1942HMS Ursula (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSC, RN) arrived at Holy Loch for a short period of training. (22)

8 Oct 1942HMS Ursula (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSC, RN) departed Holy Loch for Gibraltar. She is to join the 8th Submarine Flotilla there as a temporarily reinforcement for the upcoming invasion of North Africa.

En-route she was to make a short patrol in the Bay of Biscay making this her 31th war patrol.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Ursula during this patrol see the map below.

16 Oct 1942At 0300 hours HMS Ursula (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSC, RN) sighted a uboat in position 44°32'N, 07°52'W. Contact was lost before a salvo of torpedoes could be fired. The uboat sighted was most likely the German U-659. (1)

1 Nov 1942HMS Ursula (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for her her 32th war patrol (16th in the Mediterranean). She is ordered to perform a special operation (during operation Torch) and upon completion to patrol to the West of Ibiza.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Ursula during this patrol see the map below.

3 Nov 1942During the night of 3-4 November 1942 HMS Ursula (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSC, RN) landed a folbot with a party of two men for a beach reconnaissance in the Gulf of Arzew (to the East of Oran). The party returned at 0050/4 after having left the submarine at 2320/3. (1)

Upon completion of this Ursula went to a position where she was to act as a beacon for the landing forces. She arrived in her position at 2036 hours. At 2115 hours she started the 'beacon procedure' and within 15 minutes the first ships of the landing force were within sight. Ursula ended her operations at 0035/8. course was set for her patrol position off Ibiza. (1)

11 Nov 1942HMS Ursula (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSC, RN) attacks but misses German U-boat U-73 about 25 nautical miles South-South-East of Carboneras, Spain in position 36°44'N, 01°48'W. The British claim to have sunk the uboat but this was not the case.

1232 hours - Sighted a uboat following the liner. Unfortunately no more torpedoes were on board (Ursula carried no reloads, the folbots for the special operation had been carried instead) so it could not be attacked with torpedoes. Closed up for gun action. But the uboat dived shortly afterwards. It was thought it was a diffent uboat than the one previously attacked.

20 Nov 1942HMS Ursula (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar for her 33th war patrol (17th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol between Toulon and Genoa. Ursula also carried two folbots and a party of two that could be employed for train wrecking if a favourable opportunity was to occur.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Ursula during this patrol see the map below.

30 Nov 1942Druring the night of 30 November / 1 December 1942, HMS Ursula (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSC, RN) landed a party of two to sabotage a railway tunnel near Laigueglia. The party was succesful and was re-embarked later that night.

(All times are zone -1)
1818 hours - Surfaced and closed the coast near Cape Mele to 500 yards.

2015 hours - Launched a folbot with a 2 men party. They were to wreck a train in a tunnel near the village of Laigueglia. The party consisted of Captain Richard Percy Livingstone (SBS) and Sergeant S. Wetherall. Due to the presence of a sentry, the demolition charges had to be laid 150 yards from the tunnel.

2115 hours - Ursula retired to seaward.

2335 hours - Returned to the rendez-vouz position and re-embarked the folbot party. They had managed to place their charges.

0008 hours (Dec. 1st) - Ursula proceeded to seaward. A large flash and an explosion came from the direction of Laigueglia. These were followed by three smaller flashes. It was thought that a train had set off the charges.

See the event of 1 December 1942 for the continuation of the events. (1)

(All times are zone -1)
0030 hours - While proceeding away from the coast after the train wrecking mission sighted a darkened ship ahead. Position was Cape Mele 120°, 4 nautical miles. Manned the gun and closed to 750 yards.

0100 hours - Opened fire with the deck gun from 500 yards. The 6th round was a hit. This hit was followed by more hits. The crew was seen to abandon ship.

0130 hours - Ursula secured alongside the schooner. It was the 'Togo' of about 100 tons. She was fitted with 2 .3" Breda machine guns, 12 small depth charges. All documents that could be found were taken on board Ursula and scuttling charges were placed.

2 Dec 1942Between 2300 and 2330 hours (zone -) HMS Ursula (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSC, RN) damaged a train with gunfire near San Lorenzo, Italy. [Italian sources show that one wagon was hit and electric cable was down on a length of 500 metres.] (1)

3 Dec 1942Between 0125 and 0150 hours HMS Ursula (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSC, RN) bombards olive oil storage tanks at Oneglia, Italy. The action had to be broken off when the gun jammed. Meanwhile Ursula became the target of shore batteries so at 0150 hours she dived and proceeded to seaward.

-----------------------------------------

Later on this day Ursula also sank the German merchant Sainte Marguerite II (1855 GRT, built 1921) about 30 nautical miles South-East of Cannes, France in position 43°11'N, 07°19'E. [She was bound from Marseilles, France to Naples, Italy. The German survivors were left with the impression that the submarine was American but no US submarines operated in the Mediterranean during the war.]

(All times are zone -1)
1830 hours - Surfaced in position 43°11'N, 07°19'E and almost immediately sighted a darkened ship bearing 270°. Range was 3.5 nautical miles. Enemy course was 050°. Closed at full speed. Brought the tubes to the ready and manned the gun. The ship appeared to be in ballast and was of about 2000 tons.

1830 hours - Turned to starboard and brought the gun to bear. Range was 750 yards.

1831 hours - Opened fire. Several hits were obtained but after a few minutes the gun again jammed.

1840 hours - The ship was now stopped and the gun was in working order again so three more rounds were fired.

1850 hours - Closed the ship and noticed that the crew was abandoning her. The master and chief engineer were taken from the boat.

1900 hours - Went alongside the target and boarded her. Some provisions were taken from her as well as documents.

1940 hours - The seacocks and condeser inlets to the engine room were opened as well as the flood connection to both holds.

2040 hours - Cast off and waited for the ship to sink.

0030 hours (Dec. 4th) - The ship had still not sunk. She was boarded again and scuttling charges were placed. Half an hour later the charges went off and the ship sank almost immediately by the bows. (1)

(All times are zone -1)
0530 hours - In position 38°09'N, 11°51'E sighted a large merchant ship escorted by two destroyers. Range 10000 yards. Started attack.

0542 hours - Dived.

0553 hours - In position 38°09'N, 11°54'E fired three torpedoes from 750 yards. Loud explosions were heard after 32, 38 and 45 seconds. These were followed by breaking up noises. Meanwhile Ursula went to 150 feet and retired from the scene.

0606 hours - Depth charging started. No hunt followed.

According to Italian sources the escort vessels present were the Italian destroyer Lampo and the Italian torpedo boat Pallade. Gran was en-route from Napels to Bizerte. (1)

30 Dec 1942HMS Ursula (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSC, RN) was in rammed and damaged while she was in the process of attacking a southbound convoy of three large merchant vessels escorted by four destroyers North of Cape St Vito, Sicily, near position 38°43'N, 12°40'E. Ursula had penetrated the destroyer screen and was on the point of firing torpedoes when the convoy as a whole changed course and overran Ursula destroying both periscopes and standards, as well as damage to the conning tower. The attack had to be broken off. These were probably Oriani (352 GRT, built 1942), Manzoni (4550 GRT, built 1942) and Mario Roselli (6835 GRT, built 1942), escorted by the destroyers Maestrale, Corsaro and Lampo and the torpedo boats Sirio and Pallade.]

(All times are zone -1)
0023 hours - Received a signal from Capt. S-10 ordering Ursula to proceed to a new patrol position 360°, Cape San Vito, 12 nautical miles. Immediately set new course and proceed at full speed for this new patol position.

0504 hours - Shortly after arriving in this patrol area sighted a convoy of three merchant ships escorted by four destroyers. Range was 9000 yards. Course 240°. Speed 15 knots. Started attack.

0509 hours - Dived and closed at full submerged speed. Started an attack on the leading merchant ship, the biggest, thought to be of about 5000 tons.

0513 hours - The leading destroyer passed ahead. Ursula went a bit deeper then periscope depth when the destroyer passed.

0515 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Found that the situation had changed. The convoy had made a zig towards of about 35°.

0520 hours - The target was now 600 yards off and came towards. Ursula had to be taken deep but she hang for over a minute at 25 feet.

0522 hours - When at 29 feet Ursula was hit by the ship on the periscope standards and bridge.

0525 hours - The rear destroyer of the convoy passed overhead.

0600 hours - The HE of the convoy faded away.

0601 hours - Surfaced and proceeded at full speed to clear the area. The damage was; both periscopes and periscope standards bent and useless. The upper telegraphs were broken, centre section of jumping wire carried away, night light smashed and superficial damage to the bridge.

0621 hours - Passed enemy report to Capt. S.10.

0643 hours - Dived in position 38°43'N, 12°40'E.

1828 hours - Surfaced in position 38°53'N, 12°38'E.

2100 hours - Passed situation report to Capt. S.10. Altered course to return to Algiers. Due to the damage sustained the patrol had to be broken off. (1)